Vending machine



BEST AVAILABLE COPY may 2, 3.939. P. L. GEER 156,1

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet `l ONEYa A BEST AVAILABLE COPYl P. L.. GEER VENDING MACHINE May 2, i939.

3 Sheet-s-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1936 INVENTOR.

. a g?. w f '.f ATTORNEY.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY VENDI NG MACHINE Filed June 24, 1936 3 Sheecs-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Pmi/L L. Gem

ATTORNEYB Patent-'zi BEST AVAILABLE COPY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The invention relates to a coin-controlled vending machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a generally improved apparatus for the selective vending of articles therefrom.

A more specific object is to provide an improved vending machine such that articles of different value may be selectively vended therefrom. following the deposit of an appropriate coin or coins.

Another object is to provide an improved coincontrolled means wherein a common assembly controls the vending of all of the articles at the different prices.

A further object is to provide means whereby the delivery movement of an ejector element to deliver a package must be completed before the ejector element may be returned to its initial position.

Another object is to provide for the automatic return to the operator of an improper object which may have been deposited in the apparatus in lieu of a proper coin.

Yet another object is to provide for the automatic weighed-out discharge from a coin-guiding rollway leading to the coin-controlled mechanism of a slug deposited therein.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth or be apparent in the following description of a typical embodiment of the invention, and in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a perspective exterior view of a vending machine unit embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section at 2 2 in Figure 1.

Figures 3 to 5 inclusive are enlarged fragmentary views showing an article-ejecting member of the apparatus in initial and intermediate and limiting positions respectively.

Figure 5 isA a fragmentary section at 6 6 in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation, an upper front casing member and a magazine assembly being removed.

Figure 8 is an elevation at 8 8 in Figure '1.

Figure 9 is an enlarged front view of a coin-releasing and directing element and its mounting, the view being taken generally at 9 9 in Figure 8.

Figure l0 shows the members which make up the assembly of Figure 9, separately and in transversely separated relation.

Figure 1l is a section at Ill-l 0 in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a stepped plan view and section of the apparatus.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary section at the line |3 l3 in Figure 12.

Figures 14 to 16 inclusive are generally dia.- 5 grammatic views indicating the selective freeing of an article ejecting member in accordance with the amount of money deposited by the purchaser.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary section at |1 |1 in Figure 13. l0

The features of present invention are shown as being embodied in the structure of a unitary vending machine which is arranged for the vending of rectangular articles or packages 2l from a plurality of stacks of the articles which are 15 provided in a series of upright spaces 22 of a supply magazine. As is particularly brought out in Figures 3 to 6, 12 and 13, the magazine spaces 22 are provided in a unitary structure 2|) which may be formed. of sheet metal and essentially 20 comprises a closed back wall 23, end walls 24, and partitions 25 dividing the space between the walls 24 to provide thek line of magazine spaces. Mutually coplanar ilanges 26 are provided at the front edges of the walls 24'and partitions 25 25 whereby to prevent a forward movement of the articles from the magazine spaces while providing openings for viewing the packages.

Flanges 21 are provided at the bottoms of the' walls 24 and partitions 25 whereby they dene partial bottoms for the magazine spaces and may support the stacks of articles therein against a downward escape of the bottom article. The rear wall 23 terminates at a distance above the plane of the flanges 21 which exceeds the thickness of 35 a package 2l and is less than twice the thickness of the package. In this manner, when a stack of articles is supported on the flanges 21 at the bottom of a magazine space 22,.the bottom article of the stack may be pushed rearwardly from be- 0 low the stack to fall upon 'a sloping and Xed apron 28 for sliding delivery to the purchaser; the apron 28 comprises the bottom of a delivery chute or passage which is common for all of the magazines. The flanges 21 for each magazine are mutually coplanar, as is shown.

Means are provided for eiiecting the described delivery of an article 2| from a selected stack, said means comprising movable ejector elements 29 which are independently operative at the bottoms of the magazine spaces 22. Normally, each ejector 29 supports a stack of the articles on a flat top face thereof which lies in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the support flanges 21 55 below the stacks whereby an ej'ec'torZ'S Vmay .befipulled forwardly to permit a dropping of the stack therefrom upon the anges 2l of the magazine thereat, after which a rear end portion of the eje-ctor below its top 3l may push the bottom package rearwardly from beneath the stack and onto the apron 28 while the ejector reassumes its supporting position with respect to the remaining articles in the sta-ck.

As is particularly brought out in Figures 3 and 4 and 5 and 12 and 13, the ejectors 29 are mounted on and above a horizontal plate 32. Mutually parallel ribs 33 extend upwardly from the plate 32 in the plane of the end walls 24 and partitions 25 of the described magazine unit 29, and said unit is supported on the tops of the ribs 33 which engage beneath the flanges 21. Slideway grooves 34 are provided in the mutually opposed faces of the ribs 33 for slidably receiving the free side edges of flanges 35 which extend laterally from the bottoms of the members 29. It will be noted that the portions of the members 29 above the flanges 35 thereof are narrower than the slots dened between the support flanges 21 whereby their upper surfaces may be disposed within the magazine spaces as described.

Pull rods 36 extend forwardly from the members 29 to protrude from the casing of the vending machine whereby the members 29 may be selectively pulled forward for the deposit of a package 2l behind the member and for its subsequent ejection. The under side of one flange 35 is formed with ratchet teeth 3l of rectangular crosssection, and a free-swinging pawl 38 is pivotally supported on the plate 32 and beneath the ange 35 for such engagement with the teeth 3l that a movement of the ejector in either a forward or return direction must be completed before a movement in the reverse direction may be effected.

As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, the pawl 38 is intermediately pivoted, is normally disposed in a vertical position, and has its center of gravity below its pivot point whereby it tends to gravitationally retain its vertical position. When an ejector 29 is disposed in its rearward position, the top portion of the pawl 38 which may coact therewith and is wider than the spaces between the ratchet teeth is disposed forwardly of the line of ratchet teeth, as is shown in Figure 3. When the member 29 is pulled forwardly the movement of the ratchet teeth over the pawl engages the top of the pawl to rock this pawl portion forwardly whereby a recessive movement of the member is prevented, this being illustrated in Figure 4. When the full forward stroke of the member 29 is made, the pawl is disposed rearwardly of the line of ratchet teeth whereby it may again swing clear and to its normal upright position. Upon a return movement of the member 29, the pawl 38 is again operative to limit the member to a one-way movement, but oppositely from its operation while the member is being pulled forwardly. The described operation of the pawl 38 is understood to insure the completion of a package-ejecting cycle of movements of a member 29 when the actuation thereof has been appreciably started.

Means are provided to automatically bar access to the bottom package of a stack of packages when an ejector 29 therefor is moved forwardly. As illustrated in Figures 2 and '7 and 12, a swing- 355i AVMLABILE ing apron 39 is mounted behind the magazine assembly for swinging about a horizontal axis above the magazine bottom and for disposing the lower apron portion between the lower package of the .fsta'k whiclifrests on the flanges 2, and the fixed delivery'a'p'ron 28. A rock-shaft 4l is mounted on and beneath the plate 32 forwardly thereon, and radial arms l2 of the shaft extend upwardly through slots in the plate and into the paths of movements of the members 29 in such a manner that a forwardly disposed member 29 will engage an arm 32 to rock the shaft 4 I.

At an end of the shaft 4I beyond the magazine assembly an arm 43 extends upwardly, as is brought out in Figure 2, and the free end of said arm is connected to a lower point of the apron 39 by means of a link M; in this manner, the access of a hand through the forwardly-opening articledischarging passage defined between the apron 28 and the plate 32 to a lowered package in a magazine is automatically prevented by disposing the apron 39 below the discharge point from the magazine before the stack therein may be lowered by reason of the removal of the member 29 from beneath it. A tension spring 49 is constantly operative between the link 43 and a fixed anchorage to constantly urge an inoperative disposal of the apron` it being noted that the spring 49 is operative while an arm i3 is engaged and rocked by an ejector 29 to urge a return movement of the ejector.

It will now be noted that the present vending machine is particularly arranged for the vending of articles which may sell at different prices;

by way of illustration, it will be assumed that the prices may be l'lve cents and ten cents and fifteen Cents for articles in different stacks of the magazine. Furthermore, means are provided whereby, following the deposit of an appropriate coin or coins, only a single package of no greater value than that paid for may be obtained from the machine by the purchaser who is to operate the machine for himself.

An upwardly offset portion d5 of the support plate 32 extends foi` the length of the plate in l intersecting relation to the ribs 33 and defines therein a downwardly opening and elongated groove 156 of uniform cross-section. A plate member il is xed along and beneath the bottom of the plate 32 to laterally close the groove AS thereat. The closed and elongated space thus defined Within the offset plate portion 35 is arranged to contain a series of normally contacting members for limited separation in their line. The latter members include a member 98, balls 41.9, members 59, and a member 5I. The member 48 is shown as fixed within the groove space 99 at what is shown as the left end thereof, and contacts a ball 49 in the groove. The members 59 are preferably cylindrical and have ends rounded with the same curvature as the balls 19.

The member 5l engages and extends beyond the ball 49 at the right end of the line of members in the groove 46 and is provided with a radial arm 53 which extends downwardly through a slot 59 in the plate 47. A tension spring 55 extends from the free end of the arm 53 to an anchorage 5B on the plate M and to the left of the slot 54 whereby to yieldingly maintain a contacting relation of the line of members F49 and 56 between the membe'rs 41 and 5l. It will be noted that the members 59 are each the operative equivalent of a ball member i9 in the line and may be either replaced with balls 39 or may replace some of the balls as may be desired or required for effecting the exact positioning of Contact points of the members for a purpose which is hereinafter brought out.

' Plates 51 depend from the bottoms of the ejector members 29, said plates extending forthe lengths of the members and being of uniformv thickness except that their forward ends are bevelled'to provide wedge points thereat; these members are hereinafter referred to as wedge plates'.- 'I'he olTset 45 of thesupport plate 32 is provided with transverse slots or cuts 59 in the planes of movement of the wedge plates 51 for freely receiving the Wedge plates therethrough. The balls 49 and/or members 50 are mutually tangent in the planes of movement of the wedge points whereby, with the conditions as in Figure 3, the forward movement of a given ejector 29 will engage the wedge plate 51 thereof between members in the groove to separateV the same thereat and permit the passage of the wedge plate through the line of members, unless such operation is prevented. It will be 'understood that when a spreading of the members 49 and 59 in their line is prevented, the assembly7 of said members is unitarily operative as a stop means with respect to the various ejectors 29.

Means are provided for preventing the passage of the wedge plates 51 through the line of members 49 and 50, and an operative movement of the ejector, unless an appropriate coin or token has been deposited in the machine. notch 66 is provided in the upper side of the member said notch registering with a like notch 6I in the top of the offset 45. Stop or de'- tent elements 62 and 63 normally extend downwardly through the notches 6D and 6l whereby the member 5l is locked against its displacement by the operation of a wedge plate 51 at a slot 59 to urge a pushing back of the member 5I. The detents 62 and 63, it will be noted, are of different thicknesses, and the different wedge plates 51 have the thickness of one of these detents 62 or 63, or their sum in accordance with the value of articles to be discharged by the ejectors which carry them. The wedge plates 51 may be removably and replaceably mounted on the ejectors,

as by screws` 58 shown in Figure 6, whereby a given ejector may be readily adapted forthe vending of articles of different values.

If the detent 52 is lifted out of the notch 60, as is shown in Figure 14, a wedge plate 51 of the same thickness as the detent 62 may separate the line of members 49 and 56 to permit a forward and operative movement of the ejector which carries that Wedge plate, the detent 63 being transversely deflectable to permit this. If the detent 63 is removed, as in Figure 15, one wedge plate which has the thickness of the detent 53 may extend through the line of members to permit the ejection of a package. If both of the detents 62 and 53 are displaced from their normal operative relation to the member 5I, the ejector member carrying a wedge plate 51 having the combined thicknesses of the detents may be operated.

It will now be noted that the detent 62 is arranged to be rendered inoperative by and upon the deposit o-f a. iive cent piece, or nickel, in the machine, and the detent 63 may be displaced by or upon the deposit of a ten cent piece, or dime, in the machine. Under these conditions, and in terms of the showing of Figures 14 to 16, the deposit of a nickel in the machine will release solely the right-hand ejector 29 for its operative actuation, the deposit of a dime inthe machine will release the next ejector in the line, and the de- To this end, a

eEsT AvAsLAeLE coPY 3 posit of both coins will `release the third and fourth ejectors in the line. In this manner, the different magazines for the different ejectors may contain packages of sale values which correspond to the deposit of coin required for their purchase.

It will be understood that only the thinnest wedge plate 51 may be pulled through the line of members 49 and 56 when only the detent 52 is displaced. Whenr the detent 63 is displaced, as in Figure' 15, either a five cent or ten cent package may be obtained from the machine by operating an appropriate ejector. And when both detents are removed, a fifteen cent article may be obtained. The engagement of the pin 53 of the member 5i with the right end of the slot 54 is provided for as a means to limit the spreading of the members 49 and 56 to that required for vending but one fifteen cent article, whereby but one article may be obtained with a deposit of fifteen cents.

'I'he coin control for the detents 62 and 63 is mounted on an upright plate 64 which is disposed opposite the right end of the magazine assembly. Zig-zag rollways or chutes 65 and 56 are dened at opposite faces of the plate 64 and terminate at a normally operative and displaceable stop element 61 at the bottom of the rollways. Similar levers 63 are intermediately pivoted on the plate 64 for rocking in planes parallel to that of the plate 'and each have one arm portion 69 disposed in the rollways 65 and 66 adjacent the stop member. The other arms 1l of the levers 68 pivotally carry the stop members 62 and 63, said stop members being suitably guided in upright position and being arranged to be gravitationally retained in operative disposition in the notch 6! unless a coin in a rollway 65 or 66 is supported and retained on their arms 69.

It will now be noted that the stop member 61 provides portions which are normally disposed in the plane' of a coin supported on a lever arm 69 in a rollway 65 or 65, and provides coin discharge passages'therethrough for selective registration with a coin to be released. With respect to each rollway, one of said passages connects with a coin chute 12 which discharges upon the apron 28 for the return of the released coin- The other passage discharges a coin downwardly into a bottom portion of the machine casing for removal by an authorized person, said casing' portion comprising a coin box.

By reference to Figures 2 and 8 to 11, it will be noted that the member 61 is in the general form of a rectangular block, is supported on a plurality of spring arms 13 fixed to the plate 64 and normally disposing it in operative relation to the rollways, and has-its central plane normally disposed in the central plane of the plate 64, said plate being notched out to receive the member 61. The assembly of the element 61 comprises a central member 14, outside members 15 and 16, and intermediate members 11 and 16 which are disposed between the member 14 and the members 15 and 16`respectively. The various members at either side of the central member 14 cooperate to provide rearwardly directed coinV passages 19 which connect with the coin chute 12, and are also cooperative to provide downwardly directed passages 86 through which coins may pass to the coin box portion of the casing.

It will now be noted that the spring arms 13 normally vdispose the element 61 with the front edges of the members 11 and 18 thereof operative as a stop against a coin in` the bottom of a rollway 65 or 66, and'that the spring support of said element permits its transverse shifting to register either a passage 'I9 or a passage 89 with a coin in a rollway for a directed release of the coin. At the end thereof adjacent the plate 64, the swinging apron 39 carries an arm 82 for a wedging engagement with the element 16 of the stop member 61 to laterally displace the member and release a coin in the rollway 65 or 66 through a passage 89 when the apron is moved forwardly by reason of an operative forward movement of an ejector 29. In this manner, the deposited money is released for its retention in the coin box after the released ejector has been displaced to dispose its wedge plate through the line of stop members 1.1.9 and 59.

Referring now to the rollway 65 and 66 which a deposited coin must traverse for its disposal against the members 11 or 18 of the stop element 61, it is noted that the rollways are defined by suitably positioned ribs 83 which extend transversely from the plate 64. Plates 84 are mounted against the edges of the ribs 83 to dene the outer rollway sides. The upper portion of the coin return chute i2 is branched to have portions 85 thereof disposed outwardly of the plates 84.

At the upper ends thereof, the bottoms and outer sides of the rollways 65 and 66 are defined by swinging flap-like members B6 which normally rest against the central plate 64, said members ".1 being arranged for outward displacement to release pieces of paper or other non-rolling objects which may be inserted in the rollway. The flaps 86 are positioned adjacent the front edge of the plate 64 and depend from horizontal hinge pins.

A rod or bar 81 is mounted in upright position adjacent the front of the plate 64 and carries a wedge-like head 83 for wedged engagement with and between the aps 86 to swing the same outwardly, the rod being normally disposed in a depressed and inoperative position.

A slide bar 89 is mounted in horizontal disposition on or adjacent the bottom of the plate 64 for rectilinear reciprocation, said bar extending forwardly from the machine casing for its manual manipulation and being normally disposed in a withdrawn position thereof through the operation of a tension spring 98. A wedge cam 9| is carried on the bar 89 for wedging engagement beneath the bottom end of the rod 8'! for lifting the bar to displace the aps 86 when the bar 89 is pulled forwardly; as shown, the bar 89 is slidably mounted on a plate 92 which supports an end of the plate 32.

At its rearward end, the bar 89 is provided v with a wedge cam 99 extending transversely therefrom and arranged to engage the swinging stop 6l at its member 15 for displacing the stop to register the passages '|9 thereof with the different rollways 65 and 66 when the bar is pulled forwardly. It will thus be understood that the pulling forward of the bar 89 is arranged to effect the return of a deposited coin upon the delivery apron 28 should a customer wish the return of a coin for which the goods have for any reason not been delivered.

Means are provided whereby the bar 89 is automatically retained against displacement when an ejector is operatively displaced, and vice versa. Accordingly, the bar 88 extends through a slot across the offset 45 and is disposed just beyond the free end of the movable member when the latter is in its normal position. As is brought out in Figures l2 to 17 inclusive, a notch or opening 911 is provided in the bar 89 for receiving the member 5| therethrough when the bar is in its normal retracted position and the member 5| is displaced through the actuation of an ejector 29; under the latter conditions, the ends of the notch 94 engage the opposite sides of the member 5| to prevent an operative displacement of the bar 89. On the other hand, if the bar 89 is displaced from its normal position, it acts as a stop to prevent a displacement of the member 5| and therefore prevents a working displacement of an ejector 29 until it is restored to its normal position, as in Figure 17.

Means are provided in association with the rollways 65 and 66 for returning therefrom rollable articles which are not appropriate coins or tokens for use in the machine. Magnets 95 are mounted at upper points of the plate 64 with their poles transversely opposite the rollway portion thereat. If an iron slug or the like moves through the rollway, it is arranged to be retarded in its rolling motion by the action of a magnet 95 whereby it may fall through an opening in the rollway bottom which a non-ferrous article would normally jump and enter a branch 85 of the return duct 'l2 for its gravity discharge upon the delivery apron 28.

At intermediate points of the rollways 65 and 66, means are provided for rejecting and returning coins or other rollabley discate articles which are not of the requisite weight. Accordingly, a portion of the rollway bottom is provided with an opening which is closed by an arm 96 of a lever 97 having its other arms 98 counter-weighted in such manner that the arm 98 is normally held against an overlying stop 99 with such a degree of pressure that only a coin of normal, or greater than normal weight passing over the arm will depress the arm and fall through the opening thereat to continue toward the stop member 61. A coin or other object which is too light to depress the arm 96 will continue in a rollway portion which discharges into the return chute '|2. In practice it has been found that the arm 96 should preferably comprise a length of relatively thin spring metal; the use of such an arm provides a more dependable separation of lighter and heavier coins. The present device provides a weighing selection of coins in a rollway, and it will be understood that a similar arrangement might be provided for weighing out coins or other objects which are heavier than proper for retention in a chute which leads to the stop member 6l; in the latter case, the coin which displaces the arm 96 would be diverted and discarded.

The mechanism now described is arranged to be housed in a suitable casing having end walls |9|, a back wall |82, a top |83, a bottom |99, and a stepped front wall |85. Sight openings |66` are provided in the upper portion of the front wall |95 opposite the magazine spaces whereby the packages in the magazine may be seen by a prospective customer. Coin-receiving openings |81 and |98 are provided in the front wall |95 in registration with the front ends of the rollways 85 and 66 respectively. The casing may be suitably opened for the removal of coins from the coin box and for access to its parts.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and the method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention appertains. While I have described the features and the uses of an arrangement which I now consider to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, I desire .to have it understood that the showing is primarily illustrative, and that such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the following claims,

I claim:

1. In a coin-controlled machine for vending articles of diierent sale values from a line of mutually independent stacks thereof, movable ejectors arranged for independent operation at the diierent stacks and carrying wedge plates, a line of normally engaged members extending across the paths of movement of the wedge plates and contacting in planes including the wedge plates whereby the latter may be operative between contacting members to separate the same in their line when an ejector is displaced from its normal position, stop elements jointly coactive with the line of said members to prevent their separation and independently disposable in inoperative position to then permit diierent distances of separation of engaged members by a wedge plate operative between them, said wedge plates being of different thicknesses corresponding to the different distances of separation permitted for the members when the diierent stop elements are inoperative whereby only those ejectors may be actuated which have wedge plates of a thickness which is no greater than the distance of permitted separation of the members, and means utilizing a coin deposited in the machine to inoperatively dispose a stop element to thereby permit the operation of an ejector to free an article of corresponding value from a stack.

2. In a coin-controlled machine for Vending articles oi dierent sale values from a line of magazines therefor, movable ejectors arranged for independent operation at the different magazines and carrying wedge plates for displacement with the ejectors and in their planes, a line of normally engaged members extending across the paths of movement of the wedge plates and contacting in the planes of the wedge plates whereby a wedge plate may be operative between contacting members to separate the same in their line and permit a passage of the wedge plate through the line when the ejector carrying the wedge plate is operatively displaced from its normal position, a member at one end of the line thereof being fixed against movement and a member at the other end of the line being provided with a detent-receiving opening, a plurality of detents normally engaged in said opening and cooperative to prevent a separation of the members in the line thereof when a wedge plate is directed against the line of members, said detents being of different thicknesses in the direction of the line of members and wedge plates of different ejectors being of corresponding thicknesses whereby the inoperative disposal of a detent is arranged to permit the operative actuation of an ejector carrying al wedge plate of the same thickness as the removed detent, and means whereby a coin deposited in the machine is operative to effect the inoperative disposal of an appropriate detent to permit the actuation of an ejector for articles having the sale value of the deposited coin.

3. In a coin-controlled machine for the vending of articles from a magazine thereof, means normally operative to prevent an operative actuation of the ejector, means defining a coin-receiving chute, a displaceable stop member normally operative at the discharge end of the chute to engage a coin in the chute and providing an extension of the chute passage and mounted for its displacement to align its passage with the chute,

BEST AvAxLABLE com means operated by a coin being held by the stop member to render the first means inoperative for releasing the ejector, and means whereby the actuation of the released ejector is automatically operative to displace the stop member for aligning its passage with the coin to release the latter therethrough.

4. In a coin-controlled machine for vending articles from a magazine therefor, an ejector for actuation to discharge an article from the maga- Zine, means normally operative to prevent an operative actuation of the ejector, means dening a coin-receiving chute, means dening a coin-returning passage, a displaceable stop member normally operative at the discharge end of the chute to engage a coin in the chute, means whereby a coin in the chute and engaging the stop member is operative to free the ejector for its operation,-

means whereby the actuation of the released ej ector is operative to displace the stop member in a given direction for releasing the coin for its gravity discharge from the chute and for its retention in the machine, and a member independently operative against the stop member to displace it in an opposite direction for releasing the coin for its gravity discharge into the coin-returning passage.

5. A structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein a coin box is dened beneath the stop member and the stop member comprises an element providing means to appropriately guide a released coin from the coin-receiving chute to the return chute or to the coin box when the member is correspondingly displaced to release the coin.

6. A structure in accordance with claim 4 having means whereby the actuation of a freed ejector is automatically operative to prevent a simultaneous actuation of the coin-releasing member, and vice versa.

'7. In a coin-controlled mechanism for vending articles from a magazine therefor, an ejector for actuation to discharge an article from the magazine, a displaceable stopmember normally operative to prevent an operative actuation of the ejector, means defining a coin-receiving chute, a displaceable stop member normally operative to engage a coin in the chute to retain the coin in fixed position in the chute, means whereby a coin in the chute engaging the coin stop member is operative to release the rst stop member to permit an operative actuation of the ejector, means defining a coin box in the machine, a member arranged for movement against the coin stop to displace the same in a given direction transverse to the chute at the coin for releasing the coin for its directed discharge into the coin box when the ejector is operatively actuated, means defining a coin-return passage for the machine, a member independently movable against the coin stop member to displace it in an opposite direction for releasing the coin for its directed dis- ,charge into the coin-return passage, and means whereby the ejector stop and the last member are directly engageable with each other to prevent the displacement of one of them when the other is displaced.

8. In a coin-controlled machine for selectively vending articles of different sale values from a line of stacks thereof, movable ejectors arranged for independent actuation at dierent stacks, wedge plates for actuation with the different said ejectors, a line of normally engaged members extending across and contacting in the paths of movement of the Wedge plates, removable stop elements normally engaged across the line of said members to cooperatively prevent a separation of the members by a Wedge plate of any ejector and so prevent an operative actuation of the ejectors, said stop elements being operative in the line of members for different distances of separation of the members which correspond to and vary inversely with the values of coins to be inserted in the machine by the purchaser of an article therefrom, and said Wedge plates being of dilierent thicknesses corresponding to the different distances of separation permitted for the memberswhen the diierent stop elements are singly or collectively inoperative whereby only those ejectors may be thereafter actuated which have Wedge plates of a thickness which is no greater than the distance of permitted separation of the members as provided by the inoperative disposal of one or more of the stop elements, and means utilizing a coin deposited in the machine to inoperatively dispose the stop element corresponding to the value of the coin,

PAUL L. GEER. 

